Hull Extensions

Before You Get A Hull Extension For Your Yacht, Be Sure To Contact Us To Discuss Your Options

Hull Extensions Can Be One of The Best Ways To Improve Your Yacht… And At Foster’s We Can Handle Everything From Design Options To The Full Extension, To A Final Gel Polish

Hull Extensions are one of the most common additions to Yachts because it is usually a lot more affordable to extend your vessel instead of buying a new, larger yacht. By adding a hull extension, you have an affordable way to get exactly what you want in design, style, comfort, and durability.

What Are The Advantages of Hull Extensions?

Many yacht owners ask us about the advantages of hull extensions. An extension is one of the best ways to improve the performance and look of your yacht. The impact of a hull extension is significant, and can include:

Improved fuel consumption

Improved speed

More storage area

Easier steering; Reduces the need for trim tabs

Reduces or eliminates water coming over the duck board after sudden deceleration

Diminishes the sound of waves smacking the stern when at anchor

A longer yacht will have a smoother ride through the water, and you will notice a dramatically improved “feel” at the wheel. An extended hull can decrease the fuel usage. While the savings will depend on your yacht, the type of hull, and other factors, you may see a significant improvement.

The Steps To Getting A Yacht Hull Extension:

Naturally, the first step to a hull extension is to choose the basic style that you want for your yacht. If you are not certain about what options would be best for your yacht, just call us here at Foster’s and we’ll be glad to make recommendations for you to consider.

Once you have a good idea of factor in the design and style of how it’s going to look added to the vessel, we will have a naval architect create the concept drawing.

We will review the concept drawings with you to be certain that it is what you want for your yacht. When you approve the drawings, the architect will turn the drawings into “Build to Scale” drawings that are necessary for completion of the project.

Once the concept drawings are approved they are turned into scale drawings or what we call build to scale drawings. These drawings are required by all licensed and experienced contractors to formulate an accurate bid and to complete the hull extension exactly according to the architect’s drawings.

You should request a detailed quote from your contractor.

Once you award a contractor with the job, the contractor will start the process of fabricating all the templates and molds to piece together in order to finish the extension.

We recommend that you have a Certified Marine Surveyor who specializes in composite and structural fiberglass laminations to oversee the project. Do not place your vessel at risk by not requiring a thorough, third party oversight of the entire process. The Certified Marine Surveyor will inspect and check the quality of workmanship and thoroughness of your project at each stage of the job until completion, will document the process, and will act as a liaison between all parties to ensure that your hull extension is completed in an appropriate manner.

Important Note: A hull extension is a structural modification, and is likely the most technical an important project that you will ever undertake as an owner or Captain of a vessel. There are many decisions that need to be made by experienced, knowledgeable professionals. There is a great deal of structural liability that goes along with this type of extension to an existing vessel. Therefore, it is critical that you select a professional with the best credentials with a proven track record in all the trades required to complete the job, including Structural Tooling, Fiberglass Molding, Fabrication and Repair, and of course, you need a great Gel Paint and Polish to make your finished vessel shine.

Final inspection and approval – before the job is done, we recommend that you receive and read the final report submitted by your Certified Marine Surveyor. Then, carefully inspect your yacht. There should not be any surprises, since your CMS will have kept you informed throughout the process.

When you are satisfied, sign off and take your “almost brand new” yacht out to the open water!